P-I archives: Seattle fire of 1889

December 31, 1975 10:00 PM

A picture of what's now First Avenue and Yesler Street before the Great Seattle Fire of 1889.

A picture of what's now First Avenue and Yesler Street before the Great Seattle Fire of 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

A picture of what's now First Avenue and Yesler Street before... Photo-1134938.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 2 of 63

A photograph of the Great Seattle Fire, June 6, 1889. (seattlepi.com file)

A photograph of the Great Seattle Fire, June 6, 1889. (seattlepi.com file)

Photo: P-I File

A photograph of the Great Seattle Fire, June 6, 1889.... Photo-754377.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 3 of 63

The front of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer from the day after the Great Seattle Fire. It was the only publication that printed that day, but it incorrectly said the fire started at Jim McGough's paint shop. A story nearly two weeks later corrected the article, saying the fire was started by John Back in the area below McGough's store. Many historians and authors did not see the second article, and the mistake continued. less

The front of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer from the day after the Great Seattle Fire. It was the only publication that printed that day, but it incorrectly said the fire started at Jim McGough's paint shop. A ... more

Photo: P-I File

The front of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer from the day after the... Photo-754379.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 4 of 63

A map from 1889, showing details of how much The Great Seattle Fire destroyed. The map shows that it nearly took out half of the downtown area and all of Seattle's business district.

A map from 1889, showing details of how much The Great Seattle Fire destroyed. The map shows that it nearly took out half of the downtown area and all of Seattle's business district.

Photo: P-I File

A map from 1889, showing details of how much The Great Seattle Fire... Photo-754385.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 5 of 63

The aftermath of The Great Seattle fire, which occurred on June 6, 1889. The fire leveled the city's entire business district, 29 blocks of mainly flimsy wooden buildings. This picture was taken looking toward Elliott Bay from Front Street (now known as First Avenue), looking over where a row of waterfront warehouses once stood. less

The aftermath of The Great Seattle fire, which occurred on June 6, 1889. The fire leveled the city's entire business district, 29 blocks of mainly flimsy wooden buildings. This picture was taken looking toward ... more

Photo: P-I File

The aftermath of The Great Seattle fire, which occurred on June 6,... Photo-754374.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 6 of 63

This picture was taken shortly after the great fire of 1889, looking toward Pioneer Square from Marion Street.

This picture was taken shortly after the great fire of 1889, looking toward Pioneer Square from Marion Street.

Photo: P-I File

This picture was taken shortly after the great fire of 1889,... Photo-754390.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 7 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134910.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 8 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134911.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 9 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134913.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 10 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134912.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 11 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134914.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 12 of 63

A photo of men after the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. Additional information about the photo was not kept with the image.

A photo of men after the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. Additional information about the photo was not kept with the image.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

A photo of men after the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. Additional... Photo-1134936.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 13 of 63

A seattlepi.com archive photo of the glue pot that started the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. It's now kept at the Museum of History and Industry.

A seattlepi.com archive photo of the glue pot that started the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. It's now kept at the Museum of History and Industry.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

A seattlepi.com archive photo of the glue pot that started the... Photo-1134931.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 14 of 63

The photo, form seattlepi.com's archive, is said to be from the Great Seattle Fire of 1889.

The photo, form seattlepi.com's archive, is said to be from the Great Seattle Fire of 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

The photo, form seattlepi.com's archive, is said to be from... Photo-1134935.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 15 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134915.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 16 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134916.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 17 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134918.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 18 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134917.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 19 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134919.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 20 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134920.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 21 of 63

Ruins of the office of Fred E. Sander after the Great Seattle Fire.

Ruins of the office of Fred E. Sander after the Great Seattle Fire.

Photo: P-I File

Ruins of the office of Fred E. Sander after the Great Seattle Fire. Photo-754396.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 22 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134922.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 23 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134924.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 24 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134932.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 25 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134934.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 26 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134923.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 27 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134925.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 28 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134888.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 29 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134897.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 30 of 63

Ruins of Fry's Opera House from the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. (MOHAI/seattlepi.com file)

Ruins of Fry's Opera House from the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. (MOHAI/seattlepi.com file)

Photo: P-I File

Ruins of Fry's Opera House from the Great Seattle Fire of... Photo-754371.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 31 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134926.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 32 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134927.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 33 of 63

A scene of the cleaning up process after the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. The caption of this seattlepi.com archive photo says the man was a reluctant volunteer. This image here is believed to be near where Colman Dock is today. less

A scene of the cleaning up process after the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. The caption of this seattlepi.com archive photo says the man was a reluctant volunteer. This image here is believed to be near where ... more

Photo: P-I File

A scene of the cleaning up process after the Great Seattle Fire of... Photo-754387.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 34 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134909.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 35 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134928.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 36 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134929.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 37 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134930.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 38 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134933.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 39 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134921.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 40 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134892.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 41 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134893.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 42 of 63

Ruins of Fry's Opera House from the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. (MOHAI/seattlepi.com file)

Ruins of Fry's Opera House from the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. (MOHAI/seattlepi.com file)

Photo: P-I File

Ruins of Fry's Opera House from the Great Seattle Fire of... Photo-754365.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 43 of 63

A seattlepi.com archive photo from the Great Seattle Fire folder. The picture does not include additional information.

A seattlepi.com archive photo from the Great Seattle Fire folder. The picture does not include additional information.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

A seattlepi.com archive photo from the Great Seattle Fire folder.... Photo-1134937.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 44 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134894.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 45 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134895.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 46 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134886.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 47 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134896.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 48 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134887.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 49 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134889.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 50 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134891.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 51 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134890.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 52 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134899.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 53 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134907.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 54 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134900.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 55 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134902.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 56 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134901.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 57 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134903.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 58 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134905.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 59 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134908.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 60 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134906.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 61 of 63

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the afternoon of June 6, 1889.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An image taken after the Great Seattle Fire, which started the... Photo-1134904.6663 - seattlepi.com

Image 62 of 63

A letter by Helen Mae Anthony, 15, which includes an eyewitness account of the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. The letter is at the Museum of History and Industry. (seattlepi.com file)

A letter by Helen Mae Anthony, 15, which includes an eyewitness account of the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. The letter is at the Museum of History and Industry. (seattlepi.com file)

Photo: P-I File

A letter by Helen Mae Anthony, 15, which includes an eyewitness... Photo-754368.6663 - seattlepi.com